Effect of adrenal steroids and diethylstilbestrol on growth and fat content of cockerels

¹ Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

Graded doses of hydrocortisone, cortisone, corticosterone and diethylstilbestrol were administered to 2-week old cockerels for 7 days and the amount of fat in depots, blood and liver was determined. Hydrocortisone and corticosterone inhibited growth, increased carcass fat and blood and liver lipids. Hydrocortisone is the more potent of the two compounds. Cortisone had no effect on growth or fat content at any of the doses used. Diethylstilbestrol increased blood and liver lipids and stimulated fat deposition without inhibiting growth.